CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2022) – Major storms and hurricanes are a way of life in Florida. Unfortunately, with the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, we have been reminded of just how vulnerable we are to mother nature. Having flood and wind insurance offers protection and security, and the Sullivan State Farm Insurance team in Cape Coral is onsite to assist residents during these first critical steps on the road to recovery.
The Sullivan’s offer several options to make the claims process as easy and convenient as possible:
- Visit Sullivan’s State Farm in Cape Coral for one-on-one assistance
- Text: the word “Claim” to 62789
- Download the State Farm App, follow prompts for filing claims
- Call (855) 259-8568
Additional resources are available through the 24-hour service center at (239) 541-3276. Residents can also contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362 to apply for assistance.
“Our entire team is not only focused on how we can help our clients recover from an insurance perspective, but we are strongly committed to personally assisting everyone in our community to recover, insured or not,” said Dawn. “In the face of devastating losses to their own personal homes and items, many of our team members are focused on assisting with the well being of their neighbors and fellow citizens before themselves. I’m proud to say that the individuals who make up ‘Team Sullivan’ share the internal characteristics of a huge heart and a servant. They continue to meet the challenge every single day and they are an amazing group of people.”
Please note that hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. It’s very important to review your coverage annually, including home, auto, wind, flood, and contents policies. “We’re happy to help in the recovery of Ian, assist our clients in the claims process, and to review policies to make sure you have adequate coverage. It’s best to have these things established by April each year. Having a plan and knowing you are covered helps to avoid added stress during an already challenging time and we’re here to help,” said Dawn.
Many insurance carriers require you to be insured weeks ahead of a hurricane or severe weather event to be eligible for coverage, so it’s important to establish wind and flood related policies at least two months in advance of hurricane season. Don’t forget to cover the contents of your home in addition to the structure. Floods are the most common natural disaster worldwide and cause millions of dollars of damage each year in the U.S.
“Homeowner’s and renter’s policies typically do not cover damage caused by flooding, but the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered through FEMA does,” said Mike Sullivan. “Since you can’t purchase insurance directly through the government, Dawn and I will work with you to explain your options and help you purchase a plan. We are also here to help you weather recovery after the storm.”
To learn more about the NFIP, go to www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
With the widespread damage and claims from Hurricane Ian, State Farm wants to make Floridians aware of an important issue called Assignment of Benefits (AOB). State Farm has seen an increase in claims with an AOB throughout the state. An AOB transfers the payment and many rights of your claim to the vendor or contractor. This language is often difficult to identify in the documents. Be careful before signing anything without fully reading the documents! Be diligent before signing anything with a vendor/contractor that solicits you directly and advises you to file a homeowner’s claim. Also, preserve all building materials removed by any contractor or vendor until you speak with your insurance carrier.
The Sullivan State Farm Agencies strongly believe in family and community, and whether you’re currently covered or looking to determine the best insurance options for your unique circumstances, the team is ready to help. Call the Sullivan State Farm Agencies at 239-541-3276 or visit the agents’ websites: mikesullivan1.com or dawnsullivan.net. You can also follow Dawn and Mike’s Facebook pages.
About the Sullivan State Farm Agency
Established in 2007, the Sullivan State Farm Agency is the office of State Farm agent Michael Sullivan and State Farm agent Dawn Sullivan. The family-focused business specializes in helping families and small business owners find the insurance coverage to protect their loved ones at every stage in life. For more information about Michael Sullivan, visit mikesullivan1.com. For more information about Dawn Sullivan, visit dawnsullivan.net. To contact the office, call 239-541-3276.
